Last Updated on March 20, 2026 by Giorgia Guazzarotti

Wondering what’s the best face wash with retinol? Makes sense. Retinol is an anti-aging superstars. If you add to your cleanser, that’s going to help you get rid of wrinkles faster, right? Plus, a cleanser makes it easier for your skin to tolerate it. Sounds like the perfect anti-aging solution to add to your skincare routine, especially for sensitive skin types. So, it may surprise you to know that I do NOT recommend you use a facial cleanser with retinol. They’re not dangerous, but they don’t work as well as advertised. Here’s everything you need to know about retinol in a cleanser (including best picks if you insist on using one):

What Is Retinol And What Does It Do In A Face Cleanser?

Retinol is basically a form. of vitamin A (but not the active version yet). Your skin has to convert it into retinoic acid before it actually does anything, which is a two-step process that happens inside your skin cells. And retinoic acid is the thing that’s been studied to death since the 80s and genuinely earns its reputation. We’re talking faster skin cell turnover, more collagen, less pigment clustering. A study found it increases both epidermal thickness and collagen production even in aged skin. Plus, by speeding up your skin’s natural exfoliation process, it helps with other skin conditions, like dark spots and acne. 

But, here’s the thing about putting it in a cleanser. You’re washing it off in about 30 to 60 seconds. Retinol needs to sit on your skin long enough to absorb, which is why every serum and cream you’ve ever seen with retinol is a leave-on product. Research on retinoid absorption makes it pretty clear that penetration depends on contact time, concentration, and formulation stability – all three of which a rinse-off product immediately undermines. Most of it goes down the drain before it’s done anything.

On top of that, retinol is genuinely unstable. It breaks down fast when it hits light, air, and water – which is exactly the environment it’s in every time you use a face wash. Good retinol products use airtight packaging, opaque tubes, and minimal water in the formula for a reason. Studies on retinol stability confirm that even small lapses in formulation protection kill its activity. A watery cleanser in a pump bottle isn’t exactly ideal conditions.

Does that mean a retinol cleanser is useless? Not totally – there’s some argument that even brief contact conditions the skin barrier slightly. But if you’re buying it because of the retinol, expecting the same results you’d get from topical retinol treatment? That’s not what’s happening here.

Best Face Washes With Retinol

As I was researching this post, I couldn’t find that many face washes with retinol. Vitamin C face wash or exfoliating face wash? The market is full of them. But retinol… not so popular in cleansers. So I think most brands have caught up to how unnecessary they are in a cleanser and prefer to sell you a retinol cream instead. Smart choice. Still, if you insist on using a face wash with retinol, here are some of the best products available on the market right now.

DERMA E Anti-Wrinkle Cleanser with Retinol ($17.50)

For the price this thing costs, it’s actually a pretty decent wash. It’s gentle foaming cleanser with low-lather that doesn’t strip your face. Your skin feels comfortable after using it rather than tight and angry. The glycolic acid is probably why people notice their skin looking a little brighter and smoother after a few weeks – although you guessed it, it’d do a much better job if it were allowed to stay on the skin. It’s a sad truth of skincare that potent ingredients work better in a topical treatment than a regular face wash. *sighs* The scent is subtle and botanical, nothing that’s going to bother you unless you’re really fragrance sensitive. It cleans everyday grime well and handles light makeup fine. A full face of foundation is going to need a double cleanse, but as a morning wash or second step it’s genuinely solid. Just go in knowing the retinol on the label is not doing anything meaningful in a rinse-off product. Neither is the bakuchiol, by the way.

Available at: Ulta

Murad Blemish Control Clarifying Cream Cleanser ($24.00)

It doesn’t feel like an acne cleanser and honestly that’s the whole point. It’s creamy, it doesn’t foam aggressively, it doesn’t burn, and your face doesn’t feel like it’s been through a wind tunnel afterwards. If you’ve been using one of those harsh salicylic acid gels that leaves your skin dry and somehow still breaking out, this is a completely different experience. It won’t clear a big active breakout on its own and honestly the salicylic acid in a rinse-off formula isn’t going to do the heavy lifting you’d want it to. What it does well is keep day-to-day grime and excess oil from building up without wrecking your barrier in the process. There’s a faint cooling sensation from the tea tree and menthol, which could irritate sensitive skin.

Available at: Cult Beauty, Dermstore, Look Fantastic, Murad and Ulta

MISSHA Red Bean Retinol Pore Peel To Foam ($19.45)

This is one of those products that’s genuinely fun to use, which you don’t say about cleansers very often. You put it on dry, massage it around, and the cellulose and red bean powder physically exfoliate in a soft gommage kind of way before you add lukewarm water and it shifts into a foam cleanser that actually removes makeup, dirt, and excess sebum. The texture shift is weirdly satisfying and it makes washing your face feel like an actual thing you want to do. And it works. Pores look tighter, skin feels noticeably smoother after use, and it doesn’t leave your face feeling raw or over-done the way some exfoliating cleansers do. FYI, this is a physical cleanser, so be very gentle when you use it – and only use it a couple of times a week at most. Occasional exfoliation = radiant skin. Daily exfoliation = irritated skin. Scent is faint and earthy from the red bean, nothing perfumey, nothing that sticks around after rinsing.

Available at: Stylevana and Yes Style

FAQs

Is a retinol face wash worth it?

Not really, no. Retinol needs to sit on your skin to actually do anything and a cleanser is on your face for maybe a minute before you rinse it off. Most of it goes straight down the drain before it’s had a chance to absorb. If you want the anti-aging results retinol is famous for, you need a serum or cream you leave on overnight. That’s just how the ingredient works.

Can I use a retinol cleanser every day?

Most of them are gentle enough for daily use but pay attention to what else is in the formula. If there are exfoliating acids in there too, every day might be too much especially if you’ve already got actives in the rest of your routine. Give it a week and see how your skin feels. Tight, dry, or irritated means dial it back.

I’ve never used retinol before. Is a cleanser a good place to start?

Actually kind of yes, for one specific reason. Because so little of it absorbs in a rinse-off product, you’re much less likely to get the irritation and flaking that catches a lot of first-timers off guard when they go straight in with a retinol serum. Just don’t expect it to do what a serum does. Think of it as dipping your toe in rather than actually swimming.

Related: How To Deal With Retinol Side Effects

Can I use it alongside vitamin C serums or benzoyl peroxide?

In a cleanser, sure, because you’re barely absorbing any of it anyway so the interaction risk is pretty low. Where it gets trickier is your leave-on products. Retinol and benzoyl peroxide together can deactivate each other, and vitamin C is better off in your morning routine while retinol stays at night. If you’re stacking a lot of actives and not sure what goes with what, genuinely just ask a dermatologist rather than going down a TikTok rabbit hole.

What ingredients actually make a retinol cleanser worth buying?

Forget the retinol for a second and look at what else is in there. Hyaluronic acid, amino acids, fatty acids, aloe vera, vitamin E – these are things that can actually do something useful in a rinse-off format because they work at the surface level. You’re essentially shopping for a good cleanser that happens to have retinol in it, not the other way around.

Can a retinol cleanser fade acne scars?

No. Fading acne scars takes months of consistent leave-on use. Sixty seconds of contact time isn’t touching that. You need a proper retinol serum for that job, and even then it’s a long game. If scarring is really bothering you it’s worth talking to a dermatologist rather than hoping a cleanser fixes it.

Gel cleanser or cream cleanser – does it matter?

Not for the retinol, since neither gives it enough time to work anyway. It does matter for your skin type though. Oily and combination skin usually gets on better with a gel or foam formula. Dry or sensitive skin tends to prefer a cream cleanser that doesn’t strip. Pick based on what your skin actually needs and ignore the retinol angle entirely.

Can I just use a retinol cleanser instead of a serum?

No. A cleanser and a serum are not doing the same thing just because they both have retinol on the label. A serum sits on your skin all night and actually gets absorbed. A cleanser gets rinsed off. If you want real results you need a leave-on product, full stop.

Do dermatologists actually recommend these?

Most are pretty unenthusiastic about them for the same reasons this whole article exists. They’re not going to hurt you but they’re not efficient either. A lot of dermatologists would rather you spend that money on a simple, no-nonsense cleanser like La Roche-Posay or Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser and put a proper retinol treatment in your routine separately.

The Bottom Line

Look, the skincare industry loves selling you the idea that more actives equals better skin. Throw retinol in a cleanser, slap it on the label, charge a premium, done. And it works as a marketing strategy because retinol genuinely is one of the most proven ingredients in skincare. The problem is that an ingredient being good doesn’t automatically make every product containing it good. Your cleanser’s one job is to clean your face without wrecking your barrier. That’s it. When it does that well, everything else in your routine works better, your serums absorb better, your moisturiser sits better, your skin just behaves better. Chasing actives in a formula that rinses off in 60 seconds is the wrong place to spend your energy and your money. If retinol is something you want in your routine and you should, the science behind it is genuinely impressive, put it somewhere it can actually work. A serum. A cream. Something that stays on your face long enough to do the thing it’s supposed to do. Your cleanser doesn’t need to be exciting. It just needs to be good.

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Last Updated on March 18, 2026 by Giorgia Guazzarotti

Looking for Dermalogica retinol reviews? I’ve got you covered. The Dermalogica Dynamic Skin Retinol Serum is one of the more talked-about retinoid launches in the professional skincare space – a high-dose serum that promises to “visibly reduce the 4 signs of skin aging in just 2 weeks.” Bold claim. In this review, I’m going to break down the science behind the formula and tell if it works and, is it worth the splurge?

Key Ingredients in Dermalogica Dynamic Skin Retinol Serum: What Makes It Work?

HYDROXYPINACOLONE RETINOATE (HPR)

​HPR, a.k.a Granactive Retinoid, is a retinoic acid ester, which basically means it’s a retinoid that skips the usual conversion queue. Regular retinol has to go through two enzymatic steps before your skin can actually use it. HPR binds directly to retinoic acid receptors in its current form, so it’s active faster and with less irritation along the way.

The most cited study on it is a 2018 paper by Ruth and Mammone in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology, which found HPR significantly increased procollagen production in skin models (comparable to tretinoin) without triggering more inflammation than the control. Worth knowing: this study was run through Estée Lauder’s own research infrastructure, so it’s not fully independent. The evidence is promising, not bulletproof. A 2024 study using a combined HPR-peptide serum showed statistically significant improvement across 10 aging parameters over 16 weeks – but that’s a combo formula over 4 months, not pure HPR in 2 weeks.

What HPR does in this serum is provide early retinoid activity without the lag time retinol requires. Sensible. The irritation profile is genuinely lower than retinol, though it’s still a retinoid – if your barrier is compromised or you’re brand new to them, you can still get sensitivity, especially in the first couple of weeks.

RETINOL

This is the most studied cosmetic retinoid there is. Unlike HPR, it needs two conversion steps in the skin before it becomes biologically active – so it’s slower to kick in, but the evidence behind it is decades deep and largely independent. A 2007 study in Archives of Dermatology showed topical retinol improves fine wrinkles in naturally aged skin through increased glycosaminoglycan production and upregulated collagen synthesis.

 A 2016 head-to-head by Kong et al. confirmed retinol produces similar histological changes to retinoic acid (epidermal thickening, improved collagen gene expression) with considerably less irritation. And a network meta-analysis in Scientific Reports covering 23 RCTs and nearly 4,000 participants found retinol among the top performers for fine wrinkles, second only to isotretinoin. In this formula, retinol is mixed with HPR to give you results with a lower chance of irritation. That doesn’t mean it’s without side effects. It can still cause dryness, peeling, initial sensitivity, especially when you first start using it. It also increases photosensitivity, so morning SPF isn’t optional.

Related: What To Do If You’re Experiencing Retinol Side Effects

SQUALANE

Squalane is the stabilised version of squalene, a lipid your skin already produces naturally. Production drops with age, which partly explains why mature skin tends to feel drier and more vulnerable. When you apply squalane topically, your skin basically recognises it. Its job here is emollient: it reduces water loss, softens skin, and helps other ingredients absorb without leaving a greasy residue.  In a retinoid serum specifically, squalane is pulling extra weight, reducing the chance that retinol tips you into irritation. Non-comedogenic, extremely well-tolerated.

The Rest Of The Formula & Ingredients

• Water/Aqua/Eau: The base everything else lives in. In a gel-serum format it’s what keeps the whole thing feeling light and fast-absorbing.
• Glycerin: A humectant that pulls moisture into the upper layers of the skin, and it’s in basically everything for a reason because it works consistently, costs very little, and almost nobody reacts to it. 
• Hexyldecanol: A fatty alcohol that makes the formula feel smooth on application and helps certain ingredients dissolve properly into the base. 
• Propanediol: A lightweight humectant that also nudges actives deeper into the skin, so think of it as a delivery sidekick for the retinoids. It’s a cleaner, better-tolerated alternative to propylene glycol and genuinely rarely causes any issues.
• Dimethyl Isosorbide (DMI): This is actually the carrier solvent that HPR comes suspended in – it’s a core part of what makes Granactive Retinoid function as a ingredient. It improves penetration and keeps the HPR stable, and without it the HPR simply doesn’t work properly in the formula.
• Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer: The synthetic polymer that gives this serum its gel structure instead of a runny, watery consistency.
• Hydroxyacetophenone: A preservative booster and antioxidant whose main job is protecting retinol from the oxidative degradation it’s very prone to when it meets air and light. It also adds extra preservative support to the overall system, which matters for a formula with this many lipid-based ingredients.
• Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil: Rich in linoleic acid, which is an essential fatty acid the skin cannot synthesise on its own, and that matters because linoleic acid actively reinforces the barrier, has anti-inflammatory properties, and supports the lipid matrix that stops water escaping from the skin. 
• Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract: An antioxidant and antimicrobial plant extract that’s mainly here to protect the formula.
• Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil: Geranium essential oil, and while it has some antimicrobial activity, it’s primarily here to make the formula smell good. It contains linalool and other potential allergens, so if your skin tends to be reactive or you’ve had fragrance sensitivity before, this is one worth paying attention to.
• Aniba Rosodora (Rosewood) Wood Oil: Rosewood oil that’s contributing to the warm, slightly floral element of the scent profile. It’s fine for most people but it’s not zero risk, especially layered on top of the other essential oils in this formula.
• Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil: An essential oil with antimicrobial and mildly anti-inflammatory properties that are real but not really the point here – at this concentration it’s primarily adding to the fresh, herbal top note in the fragrance. People with sensitivity to eucalyptol specifically should take note because it can be a trigger.
• Santalum Album (Sandalwood) Oil: A warm, woody fragrance ingredient that has antioxidant properties in isolation but is here almost entirely for scent . Occasional contact sensitisation has been reported with sandalwood oil, nothing dramatic but worth knowing if you’re already stacking up reactions to the other oils in this formula.
• Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Extract: A soothing, antioxidant-rich extract loaded with tocopherols, ferulic acid, and phytosterols, all of which have documented anti-inflammatory activity. It’s a genuinely smart inclusion in a retinoid serum because your skin sometimes just needs something calming while it’s adjusting to the actives, and this delivers that without any meaningful risk of irritation.
• Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Extract: Same family as the sunflower seed oil earlier but in extract form, contributing antioxidant support and mild conditioning to the formula. It’s more about protecting the formula’s integrity and adding a layer of skin comfort than doing anything dramatically transformative on its own.
• Cupressus Sempervirens Oil: Cypress essential oil that brings astringent and antimicrobial properties alongside its role as part of the fragrance blend, giving the overall scent its slightly sharp, resinous quality. It can be mildly irritating for people with sensitive skin.
• Juniperus Virginiana Oil: Virginia cedarwood oil that adds a dry, woody depth to the scent and has some antimicrobial activity alongside it. It may irritate skin too.
• Abies Sibirica Oil: Siberian fir needle oil that contributes a fresh, slightly green top note to the overall scent, and contains terpenes that can sensitise at higher concentrations even if they’re probably fine at the levels used here.
• Tocopherol: Vitamin E in its purest form, a fat-soluble antioxidant that prevents the lipid components of the formula from going rancid and specifically helps stabilise the retinol against oxidative breakdown. 
• Beta-Glucan: An oat-derived polysaccharide with solid, well-replicated evidence for soothing and hydrating skin – it forms a light film on the surface, reduces transepidermal water loss, and has genuine anti-inflammatory activity that makes it one of the smarter inclusions in a retinoid serum. 
• Caprylyl Glycol: A humectant and preservative booster derived from caprylic acid that improves the feel of the formula on skin while also making the preservative system work more efficiently.
• BHT: A synthetic antioxidant that prevents oxidative degradation across the formula, and it’s especially important here for protecting retinol which breaks down fast without it. 
• Ceramide NP: One of the ceramides the skin barrier is literally constructed from, and including it in a retinoid serum is the formula actively trying to offset the temporary barrier disruption that retinoids can cause during the adaptation phase. 
• Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride: A light emollient from coconut oil and glycerin that softens skin and improves how the serum spreads and absorbs without leaving any greasiness behind. 
• Cetyl Palmitate: A wax ester that acts as an emollient and gives the formula a bit of body and slip, making it feel more substantial on skin without tipping into heaviness.
• 1,2-Hexanediol: A humectant and preservative booster that helps prevent microbial growth in the formula while also contributing to skin feel. 
• Ethylhexylglycerin: A skin-conditioning agent and mild preservative booster that keeps the formula stable without leaning on harsher preservatives. 
• Polysorbate 60: An emulsifier that stops the oil and water components from separating in the bottle over time. 
• Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate: A chelating agent that binds metal ions floating around in the formula and remove them so the serum doesn’t go bad too quickly.
• Hydroxystearic Acid: A fatty acid functioning as both an emollient and an emulsifier, keeping the texture smooth and making sure all the different components of the formula stay cohesive rather than separating or going grainy over time.
• Polysorbate 20: A lighter emulsifier than Polysorbate 60 that helps maintain the emulsion and contributes to a clean, non-tacky finish on skin. 
• Sorbitan Isostearate: An emulsifier and mild skin-conditioning agent that works alongside the other emulsifiers to keep the formula uniform and stable throughout its shelf life.
• Laureth-23: A surfactant and emulsifier that helps solubilise certain ingredients and maintain overall formula stability, particularly useful in formulas with a mix of water-soluble and oil-soluble components like this one.
• Trideceth-6 Phosphate: An emulsifier with mild surfactant properties that helps keep all the disparate components of this formula playing nicely together.
• Sodium Hydroxide: A pH adjuster used to bring the formula to the correct pH range, which actually matters quite a bit here because retinol is more stable and more effective within a specific window and the wrong pH accelerates degradation.
• Citric Acid: Works in tandem with sodium hydroxide to fine-tune the formula’s pH, and also has mild chelating properties that contribute to the overall antioxidant stability of the formula.
• Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6: A synthetic thickener that reinforces the gel structure and helps the serum spread cleanly without pilling or balling up when you layer other products over it.
• Sodium Benzoate: A preservative effective against a broad range of microbes that works particularly well at lower pH, which this formula likely has given the retinoids. 
• Benzyl Alcohol: A preservative that also contributes to the overall fragrance of the formula, and it’s worth knowing it’s a declared EU allergen because sensitisation can occur in some people. 
• Linalool: A fragrance ingredient and declared EU allergen that’s probably partly coming from the rosewood and geranium oils listed earlier and partly added as a standalone fragrance component.

Texture

Gel serum, lightweight, slightly slippery, absorbs fast. It comes out almost translucent with a subtle glossiness from the squalane and spreads easily without dragging or pilling. No film, no stickiness, nothing that makes you want to wait around before touching your face. If you’re used to heavy retinol creams that sit on the skin, this will feel almost shockingly light by comparison, which I actually love even if it takes some getting used to.

Fragrance

It has a scent and it’s not subtle. Herbal and woody with a slightly floral softness underneath, think rosemary, sandalwood, geranium, and it reads more professional spa than mainstream perfume. It fades fairly quickly so mildly fragrance sensitive people will probably survive it. But if fragrance is a real concern for you, the essential oil stack here is genuinely long, so avoid it.

How To Use It

Cleanse, wait for skin to dry, apply one to two pumps all over the face (avoiding the eye area), and follow with moisturizer. Night only – this is a non-negotiable with retinoids. In the morning, SPF. Always. If you’re new to retinoids, start once or twice a week and give your skin time to adjust before using it every other night. Don’t mix it in the same routine with AHAs, BHAs, or vitamin C.

Related: Mix And Match: Which Skincare Ingredients Should You NOT Use Together?

Packaging

White pump bottle with a plum-coloured lid. It’s clean, clinical, on-brand for Dermalogica. The pump is satisfying. It dispenses a controlled amount so you’re not accidentally using too much. The bottle isn’t opaque enough for me personally (retinol is photosensitive and degradation is a real thing) and there’s no cap on the inner tube, so you’re relying entirely on the pump mechanism to protect the formula. For a product at this price point, I’d expect better light-protection. Keep it away from direct light.

Performance & Personal Opinion

Let’s be real about what this serum does well: it delivers a meaningful retinoid dose in a format that actually feels pleasant to use.  What I noticed in the first week was that characteristic retinoid sensation. Not burning, just a slight awareness that something’s happening. No flaking for me, though I’m used to retinoids. After a month, texture was visibly smoother, pores looked tighter, and skin had that subtle ‘clarity’ that good retinoids give you. The dark spot stuff takes longer – I wouldn’t expect dramatic results in under 6-8 weeks.

What bugs me: the undisclosed retinol percentage. The product markets on a “3.5% retinoid complex” but won’t tell you how much of that is actual retinol versus HPR versus the solvent DMI (which makes up 90% of Granactive Retinoid by weight). That lack of transparency is frustrating when you’re trying to compare this to other retinol products or calibrate your routine. The fragrance stack is also unnecessary in an active serum aimed at aging and sensitive skin concerns. Including 8+ essential oils alongside a retinoid is a choice that prioritises scent experience over effectiveness (cos if not all skin types can use it, that’s unfair, isn’t t?).

What I Like About Dermalogica Dynamic Skin Retinol Serum

• Dual-retinoid system (HPR + retinol) is scientifically sound and covers multiple modes of retinoid activity
• Genuinely lightweight, fast-absorbing texture – one of the best in this category
• Squalane + ceramide NP + beta-glucan combination actively supports barrier health during retinoid use
• Less irritating than many single-retinol formulas at comparable activity levels
• Pump packaging delivers controlled, hygienic dosing
• Helps fade away dark spots and uneven skin tone

What I DON’T Like About Dermalogica Dynamic Skin Retinol Serum

• Retinol concentration is undisclosed – “proprietary” is not an answer when you’re charging £89
• Too many essential oils that could irritate sensitive skin
• Small bottle (30ml) at a high price point

Who Should Use This?

• This is best suited to people who already have some experience with retinoids. If you’ve used retinol before and want to step up to something with a more sophisticated delivery mechanism, this is a reasonable upgrade. 
• It’s also good for those who’ve had irritation issues with traditional retinol creams, because the HPR component is gentler and the barrier-supportive ingredients (squalane, ceramide NP) reduce the risk of the adaptation phase being unpleasant.
• If you’re completely new to retinoids, I’d honestly suggest beginning with a simpler 0.3-0.5% retinol serum first to understand how your skin responds before committing to a $99 bottle.
• People with genuine fragrance sensitivity should avoid this and look for a fragrance-free retinoid alternative.

Does Dermalogica Dynamic Skin Retinol Serum Live Up To Its Claims?

Price & Availability

$99 at Cult Beauty, Look Fantastic, Sephora, SpaceNK and Ulta

The Verdict: Should You Buy It?

If you want a retinoid serum that’s genuinely well-formulated, has real science behind its active ingredients, and feels good to use – yes, this is worth considering. The HPR + retinol combination is legitimately thoughtful. The supporting ingredients do their job. The texture is excellent. But manage your expectations. Skin aging that’s accumulated over decades doesn’t reverse in two weeks. What you can realistically expect after consistent use (6-8 weeks minimum)  is smoother texture, visibly tighter pores, and a gradual improvement in fine lines and skin clarity. Dark spots take longer.

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Last Updated on March 12, 2026 by Giorgia Guazzarotti

Chemical peel vs facial: which one is right for your skin? Maybe you’ve got dark spots that have been squatting on your cheeks rent-free for two years and absolutely nothing is shifting them. Maybe it’s that rough texture that looks fine in your bathroom mirror and then absolutely betrays you in natural light. Maybe you’re just tired of spending money on products that promise everything and deliver a vibe. And now you’re wondering which of these facial treatments are going to improve your skin’s appearance with minimal downtime. So here it is: what each treatment actually does, what the research supports, and how to figure out which one your skin actually needs right now.

What Is A Facial And What Are The Different Types?

​A facial is a multi-step skin treatment performed by an esthetician and the basic skeleton is always roughly the same: thorough cleansing of the skin, some form of exfoliation, extractions of blackheads if needed, a mask, moisturiser, done. Simple enough. Except then you look at an actual treatment menu and there are fourteen different facials with names like “Radiance Revival” and “Urban Detox Glow” and suddenly you have no idea what you’re looking at anymore. So let’s cut through it. The type of facial matters because different facials are doing genuinely different things to your skin.

• A classic or basic facial is exactly what it sounds like. Deep cleansing, manual extractions of blackheads and congestion, hydration, maybe a calming mask. It’s maintenance. It keeps your pores clean, your skin’s surface healthy, and your complexion ticking along nicely. It is not going to fix your acne scars. It was never trying to.
• An enzyme facial uses proteolytic enzymes (usually from papaya or pineapple) to dissolve the proteins holding dead skin cells together on the skin’s surface. It’s gentle, it doesn’t go deep, and it’s genuinely lovely for sensitive skin that throws a tantrum at the mere suggestion of an acid. The exfoliation is real, the results are mild, and if you come out glowing it’s because your skin wasn’t stressed into rebellion for once.
• An AHA or glycolic acid facial is where the line between “facial” and “chemical peel” starts getting blurry – because when a facial uses alpha-hydroxy acids in the exfoliation step, it is technically delivering a superficial chemical peel treatment. The difference is in the concentration and pH of the acid. A brightening facial at a day spa might use glycolic acid at 5-8% at a relatively high pH. A clinical peel uses it at 30-50% at a much lower pH, and those two things are not the same. Glycolic acid at clinical concentrations has a genuinely strong evidence base for hyperpigmentation, fine lines, and photoaging – it’s a documented first-line treatment for melasma in the dermatology literature. The spa version is a cousin. A friendly, mild-mannered cousin who doesn’t change much.
• A HydraFacial is a device-based treatment that combines cleansing, gentle exfoliation via a vortex tip, vacuum extractions, and serum infusion all in one go. It sounds like a gimmick until you look at the clinical data, and then it’s a bit more interesting. A multicenter study found that six biweekly HydraFacial treatments increased the proportion of acne patients rated clear or almost clear from 20% to 65% over 12 weeks. A separate randomised controlled trial found measurable increases in epidermal thickness, reduced pore size, and decreased fine lines in the treated group – while applying the same serum manually, without the device, showed no detectable skin changes at all. Both studies are small, and one had a company-affiliated author, so keep that in mind. But the data exists, which is more than you can say for most facials.
• An IPL photofacial uses intense pulsed light to target pigmentation and redness at a deeper level than any topical treatment can reach. It’s in a category of its own – less about exfoliation and cell turnover, more about dismantling the melanin clusters and broken capillaries that cause uneven skin tone and redness. If sun damage is your main concern, this is worth a serious conversation with a clinician.

Related: My Full Hydrafacial Review

What Is A Chemical Peel And What Are the Different Types?

A chemical peel is a treatment where a chemical solution is applied to the skin at a concentration high enough to cause controlled exfoliation (and depending on the depth, controlled injury). That sounds alarming. It isn’t. The “injury” is the point, because it’s that wound-healing response that triggers collagen production and gives you genuinely structural improvements in your skin, not just a youthful glow. The types of chemical peels break down by depth, and the depth determines everything: what concerns it can treat, how much downtime you’re signing up for, and what results you can realistically expect.

• Superficial peels work on the outer layer of the skin. The usual players are glycolic acid, lactic acid, mandelic acid, and salicylic acid – all at concentrations that accelerate cell turnover without breaking the skin’s barrier. Downtime is minimal, maybe a day of mild sensitivity and some light flaking. For acne-prone skin specifically, salicylic acid is the one you want – it’s oil-soluble, which means it gets into the pore lining in a way water-soluble acids physically can’t, and research shows it delivers better sustained results with fewer adverse effects than glycolic acid for acne. For pigmentation and photoaging, glycolic acid at 30-50% is your workhorse.
• Medium-depth peels use trichloroacetic acid, usually at 20-35%, and they go further – into the upper dermis. This is where you start getting real collagen remodelling, not just faster cell turnover. Histological studies on TCA peels show measurable increases in dermal thickness, higher glycosaminoglycan levels, and visible rearrangement of collagen and elastic fibres after treatment. Your skin is structurally rebuilding itself. That’s why the results last longer and look different from anything a superficial peel or facial can achieve. Downtime is real though – expect several days of peeling and redness, and a week of looking like you made a questionable decision before you start looking like you made an excellent one.
• Deep peels using high-concentration TCA or phenol are the most intensive option and genuinely not something to book casually. They’re reserved for significant sun damage, deep lines, or the appearance of scars that haven’t responded to anything else. The results can be remarkable. The recovery is serious, the risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (dark spots) is real especially in darker skin tones, and this is a procedure that needs proper medical supervision. Full stop.

So Which One Do You Actually Need?

If you have specific skin concerns – dark spots, acne scars, rough texture from sun damage, fine lines that have crossed the line from “fine” to “actually bothering me” – a clinical chemical peel is going to get you further than a facial, faster. The mechanism is understood, the depth is controlled, the outcomes for pigmentation and photoaging are documented. You’re not hoping for the best. You’re working with something that has a real evidence base and a clear mechanism of action.

If your skin is in decent shape and what you actually want is regular maintenance – clean pores, hydration, that healthy radiant skin feeling, staying on top of cell renewal so things don’t deteriorate – professional facials are genuinely a good choice. Monthly facials won’t transform your skin the way a course of peels can, but they support your overall skin health, they’re appropriate for sensitive skin that can’t handle clinical-grade acids, and when you factor in the relaxation component, they’re doing something for your nervous system that a chemical peel absolutely is not.

The most honest thing to say is that these aren’t rivals. A lot of people who get the best results are doing both (peels for the structural work, facials for the maintenance) just at different intervals and for different reasons.

The Bottom Line

The truth is, neither treatment is universally better – they’re just built for different jobs. A chemical peel goes to work on the stuff that’s actually bothering you: the pigmentation, the texture, the scars, the damage that’s been sitting there ignoring everything you’ve thrown at it. A facial keeps your skin healthy, maintained, and happy in between. Some people need one. Some people need the other. A lot of people, honestly, need both. The best thing you can do is stop guessing and get in front of a skincare professional who can actually look at your skin and tell you what it needs. Because the right treatment for your skin isn’t the one that worked for someone else – it’s the one that’s right for you.

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Last Updated on March 11, 2026 by Giorgia Guazzarotti

Peach and lily cleanser review: three cleansers, three completely different formulas, and the kind of price point where you really want to know what you’re getting before you commit. At $29 to $35 a pop these aren’t drugstore picks you can just grab on a whim and return if they don’t work out, so if you’re trying to figure out which one is actually worth your money and which ones you can skip depending on your skin type, that’s exactly what this is here for. Because the honest answer is that not all three are going to be right for everyone, and knowing which one is right for you before you buy is going to save you a lot of frustration. Let’s get into it:

Peach & Lily Ginger Melt Oil Cleanser ($35)

Most oil cleansers are a commitment. You put them on and then you spend the next five minutes trying to get them off, and even then your skin feels like it’s been wrapped in cling film. This one’s different. It’s lighter than you’d expect (more of a gel-oil than a heavy oil) and when water hits it, it actually rinses off. Clean skin, no film, no residue, done. It takes off makeup and sunscreen without any scrubbing, doesn’t sting around the eyes, and afterward your skin just feels like your skin. Not coated, not tight, not weird. The scent is barely anything, just a faint hint of ginger that disappears before you’ve even finished rinsing. Not fungal acne safe, so worth checking if that’s on your radar.

Peach & Lily Power Calm Hydrating Gel Cleanser ($29)

This is one of those cleansers that doesn’t really grab you at first because nothing dramatic happens when you use it. You wash your face, your face feels clean, you move on with your life. But that’s kind of the whole thing with this one – if your skin is sensitive or reactive or just perpetually annoyed at everything you put on it, a cleanser that does its job without causing a scene is actually exactly what you’re after, and this delivers that really consistently. It lathers into this soft, milky foam that feels gentle going on, doesn’t make your skin tighten up while you’re rinsing, and afterward everything just feels calm and comfortable and like your face is happy to have been washed rather than resentful about it.

It’s not going to sort out waterproof mascara or a heavy sunscreen on its own, so if that’s what you need don’t come here for it. But for everyday use, for skin that just needs a cleanser that isn’t going to make things worse, this is a really solid option. One thing worth knowing though – the brand markets this as fragrance-free, which is a bit cheeky because there’s actually lavender oil and geranium oil in the ingredient list. The scent is subtle enough that most people won’t even notice it, but if essential oils are something your skin genuinely reacts to, that’s not a small thing and you’d want to know before you spend your money on it.

Peach & Lily Hydrobubble Deep Foam Cleanser ($29)

So you’ve got oily skin and you’ve been through enough cleansers at this point to know that the ones that actually clean properly tend to leave your face feeling like you’ve stripped it of everything including its will to live, and the ones that are gentle enough to not do that don’t really do a whole lot in the cleaning department either. It’s one of those annoying trade-offs that oily skin people just kind of accept after a while. This cleanser manages to sidestep that whole problem in a way that doesn’t feel like a compromise.

It starts out as a creamy paste, which already feels a bit different from your average foam cleanser, and then you add water and work it into a lather and it just blooms into this incredibly dense, pillowy foam that feels so satisfying to use that you’ll probably stand there doing it longer than you need to. It cuts through oil and the general accumulation of the day really effectively, handles light makeup without you having to go over the same spot three times, and it gets into your pores in a way that leaves your skin feeling genuinely clean. And then here’s the bit that will actually get you: you rinse it all off and your skin feels completely fine. Not tight. Not dry. Not that horrible squeaky feeling that makes you immediately want to slap on half your skincare routine just to compensate. Just clean and normal and comfortable, like your skin has been looked after rather than put through something.

There’s also papain in there. In theory, it exfoliates skin. In practice, it’s not on your skin enough to do the job. If you have dry skin this probably isn’t for you – it’s a thorough cleanser and your skin doesn’t need that kind of attention. And it’s not fungal acne safe because of the sodium cocoyl isethionate, so if that’s something you’re managing it’s worth checking before you buy.

Availability

All cleansers are available on the Peach & Lily website and at Ulta.

FAQs

Note: I’ve done my best to provide accurate information on their shipping policies, but things may change at anytime, especially when they ship to so many different countries. If you want to order through their website, do double check that this information is accurate.

Does Peach & Lily offer free shipping?

Yes, but only within the United States and only on orders over $50. If you’re ordering from somewhere like the United Kingdom, Australia, or Canada, free shipping isn’t on the table – you’ll pay whatever shipping costs apply to your country at checkout

Does Peach & Lily ship internationally?

Yes, and to a genuinely impressive number of countries. We’re talking most of Europe, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Singapore, South Korea, Japan, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Trinidad & Tobago, the British Virgin Islands, French Guiana, St. Barthélemy, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & Grenadines, the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Sri Lanka, North Macedonia, Timor-Leste, the Turks & Caicos Islands, and many more. If you’re not sure whether they deliver to where you are, just start the checkout process and your country should show up in the options.

What currency will I be charged in?

It depends on where you’re ordering from. Peach & Lily’s site adjusts automatically based on your location – so if you’re in the United Kingdom you’ll be charged in GBP, most of Europe in EUR, Australia in AUD, Nicaragua in NIO, Serbia in RSD, and so on. The site covers a huge range of currencies so you’re unlikely to get caught out.

Can I track my order?

Yes, you’ll get a tracking number once your order ships so you can keep an eye on where it is.

The Bottom Line

At the end of the day, Peach & Lily clearly put some real thought into this lineup rather than just churning out three versions of the same cleanser with different textures, and that’s not nothing. But a thoughtful lineup doesn’t automatically mean every product in it is right for you, and with cleansers especially it’s worth being picky because the wrong one used every day is genuinely going to set your skin back rather than just do nothing. Take the time to figure out what your skin actually needs from a cleanser – not what sounds nice, not what has the prettiest packaging, not what everyone on the internet seems to be reaching for right now – and then pick accordingly. Your skin will thank you for it.

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Last Updated on March 10, 2026 by Giorgia Guazzarotti

IPL vs microdermabrasion: which of these two popular skin rejuvenation treatments are right for your specific concerns? Maybe you’re dealing with sun spots that have been quietly multiplying for years. Maybe it’s that rough, dull texture that makes your skin look older than you feel. Maybe you’ve got redness and broken capillaries that foundation covers but never actually fixes. Whatever it is, you’ve reached the point where you want real results, not just good-looking skin on a day when the lighting is kind. This article walks you through exactly what each treatment does, who each one is genuinely right for, what side effects to expect and more.

IPL VS Microdermabrasion: What Are They?

Microdermabrasion is a non-invasive treatment that works entirely on the skin’s surface. A diamond tip wand (or in older machines, fine crystals) moves across the treated area while a vacuum simultaneously suctions away the outermost layer of dead skin cells. It’s physical exfoliation taken further than anything you could do at home, and the disruption it causes triggers the production of collagen to help your skin repair itself. But make no mistake: it’s working at the top. The deeper layers of the skin are untouched.

IPL (intense pulsed light) is a different category of treatment entirely, even though it’s grouped with microdermabrasion as a “gentle, non-invasive option.” An IPL photofacial uses broad-spectrum light energy delivered in pulses that bypass the surface completely and get absorbed into the deeper layers of the skin, where the light converts into heat right at the source of the problem. For sun spots and age spots, it targets melanin. For redness, spider veins, and broken capillaries, it targets oxyhemoglobin in the blood vessels. Research also shows IPL stimulates collagen III and TGF-B1 gene expression while reducing the enzymes responsible for breaking down your skin’s structure over time.

They get compared because they’re both accessible, both non-invasive, both positioned as the middle ground between your skincare routine and the more intense ablative treatments. The difference is the depth at which they work, and that depth is everything when it comes to figuring out which one is right for you.

Related: Microdermabrasion VS Hydrafacial: Which One Is Better?

IPL VS Microdermabrasion: What Do They Actually Do?

Microdermabrasion treatment is genuinely good at improving skin texture, reducing dullness, and giving the skin a brighter, more even appearance. A study of 16 women who completed six weekly sessions found significant improvement in fine wrinkles, dullness, pigmentation, and large pores by the third treatment, with continued improvement through the end of the study. Another clinical and histopathological study found statistically significant improvements in roughness and mottled pigmentation after treatment. But that same study found wrinkle improvement didn’t reach statistical significance, and a broader evidence review concluded that microdermabrasion’s role in treating deeper pigmentation issues and acne scars is limited. If your concerns live deeper than the surface of the skin – years of accumulated sun damage, vascular issues, the kind of brown spots that have been building since your thirties – microdermabrasion is not going to get there. 

IPL treatment is where you go when you have deeper skin concerns. Sun damage, age spots, sun spots, diffuse redness, rosacea, spider veins, years of photoaging from sun exposure and environmental factors – this is IPL’s territory, and the evidence is pretty compelling. A large retrospective study of over 2,500 patients followed for up to 12 years found effective rates for photorejuvenation between 88% and 96%. A multi-center study of 93 patients found significant improvement in wrinkle and elastosis scores in 82% of patients at four months.

That said – and this matters – the evidence for IPL and actual wrinkle reduction is more mixed than clinics will admit. One histological study found no patients reported significant improvement in wrinkles or skin tightening three months after treatment, and no meaningful histological changes were observed. IPL is excellent for pigmentation and vascular lesions. It’s not a substitute for collagen induction therapy or fraxel laser treatment when deep wrinkles are the main concern.

Side Effects

Microdermabrasion is about as low-stakes as skin treatments come. You’ll likely have some redness and mild sensitivity for a few hours after, and your skin will be more vulnerable to sun exposure for a few days, which means SPF is non-negotiable in the days following treatment. Most people walk out of the clinic and go straight back to their regular activities. There’s no real recovery period. And because the whole thing is mechanical (no heat, no chemical peels) the risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation is low, which makes it a safe option for darker skin tones where heat-based treatments can cause problems.

IPL has more variables. Redness and swelling immediately after are normal. Sun spots and brown spots will often darken in the days following treatment before they flake off – that’s the pigment rising to the surface, and it’s a sign the treatment is working, not going wrong. But here’s the thing that doesn’t get said loudly enough: IPL is not safe for dark skin. Most IPL devices are appropriate for Fitzpatrick skin types I through IV, but for darker skin tones, the risk of burns and dyspigmentation is real enough that a responsible board-certified dermatologist won’t offer it.  Sun exposure is also a bigger deal with IPL than with microdermabrasion. Avoid it before and after treatment, and recently tanned skin is not a good candidate. This is not optional.

Who Is the Best Candidate For Each Treatment?

Microdermabrasion is the better choice if:

• Your main concerns are dull skin, rough texture, mildly uneven tone, congested pores, or surface-level pigmentation.
• You’re looking for a maintenance treatment. 
• You have a darker skin tone (it’s the safer option of the two). 
• You’re newer to skin treatments and want to start somewhere without committing to something more intense.

IPL is the better choice if:

• You have sun damage that’s been building for years, including age spots or sun spots that have become visible and stubborn.
• You’re dealing with rosacea, broken capillaries, or the kind of diffuse redness that makes your skin look permanently flushed. 
• You’re on the lighter end of the Fitzpatrick scale and your damage is pigmentary or vascular in nature

How Many Sessions Do You Actually Need?

With microdermabrasion, most people see a noticeable difference after a single session, but real improvement in skin texture and tone comes from a series of treatments – typically six to eight sessions spaced one to two weeks apart, followed by monthly maintenance. Stop the sessions, stop exfoliating regularly, and the dullness and texture issues will gradually come back.

IPL typically requires fewer sessions to see significant results – most treatment plans involve three to six sessions spaced three to four weeks apart. The results tend to last longer, particularly for pigmentation, because IPL is actually destroying the melanin causing the problem rather than just exfoliating the surface. That said, sun damage can return if you’re not religious about sun protection after treatment, so SPF isn’t just aftercare advice – it’s what protects the results you paid for.

IPL VS Microdermabrasion: What Do They Cost?

Microdermabrasion is the more affordable option by a significant margin. A single session typically runs between $75 and $200 depending on the clinic and location, which means a full series of six sessions might cost you somewhere in the range of $450 to $1,200. It’s also widely available – not just at dermatology clinics but at medical spas and aesthetic salons, which keeps the price competitive.

IPL treatment costs more per session – typically between $300 and $600 per session, which means a course of treatment can run anywhere from $900 to $3,000 or more depending on how many sessions you need and where you go. The higher price reflects both the technology involved and the fact that it should really be performed by someone with proper training. A poorly calibrated IPL treatment on the wrong skin type can cause real damage, so this is not the place to bargain hunt.

Can You Combine Both Treatments?

You can, and there’s a practical logic to it. Microdermabrasion clears away the dead cells sitting on the skin’s surface, which means light energy from a subsequent IPL session can penetrate more effectively without that barrier in the way. Some clinics offer them as a combined treatment for exactly this reason. If you’re dealing with both surface texture issues and deeper pigmentation or vascular concerns (which is genuinely common) doing both as part of the same treatment plan makes more sense than choosing one and ignoring the other.

The usual approach is to do the microdermabrasion first, give the skin several days to recover, then follow with IPL. Doing them on the same day is generally not recommended because the skin is already sensitised from the mechanical exfoliation, and adding heat on top of that increases the risk of irritation. If this is something you’re considering, talk it through with a board-certified dermatologist who can assess your specific skin concerns and build a treatment plan that actually makes sense for what you’re trying to achieve.

The Bottom Line

These are not competing treatments, and comparing them only makes sense once you’re clear on what your skin actually needs. Microdermabrasion is reliable, accessible, safe for all skin types, and genuinely effective for texture, dullness, and surface-level skin concerns. IPL is more powerful, more targeted, and far more effective for pigmentation, vascular lesions, and photoaging – but it comes with more contraindications, a higher price tag, and a real need for proper professional assessment before you commit. Neither one is the best treatment for everything. The one that’s right for you is the one that matches what’s actually going on with your skin.

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Last Updated on March 9, 2026 by Giorgia Guazzarotti

South Korea has beauty standards that would make most of us anxious just reading about them. Skin needs to be poreless, luminous, and practically translucent (what they call glass skin) and that’s not a trend, that’s just Tuesday. The pressure is relentless, it starts young, and it has produced a clinical skincare industry so advanced that people are now flying in from the United States and Europe just to get treated there. But do Korean beauty treatments actually work? Some of them are genuinely backed by solid science. Some of them are backed by very enthusiastic marketing. And some are somewhere in the messy middle, where the mechanism makes sense but the clinical evidence hasn’t quite caught up yet. This article tells you which is which.

What’s Different About K-Beauty Clinics?

In South Korea, going to a dermatologist isn’t something you do when your skin gets bad enough. It’s something you do regularly for prevention, the way you’d get a dental cleaning. This routine starts in your 20s and it never stops… and it’s why the Koreans have such great skin. What happens there is different too. Korean clinics also combine multiple treatments in a single visit. One appointment might involve a pico laser for pigmentation, a skin booster injection for hydration, and radiofrequency for tightening – all in one afternoon. In the West, those would typically be three separate appointments, spread across months, at three different price points.  None of which means every clinic is excellent, or that beauty tourism to South Korea is automatically going to give you the skin of your dreams. Do your research before booking anything. On that note, below you’ll find some common skin treatments offered at Korean dermatology clinics:

Related: 4 Lessons I’ve Learned From Korean Skincare

Rejuran Healer (PDRN Injections)

Rejuran Healer is probably the most famous treatment to come out of Korean dermatology in recent years, and the star ingredient PDRN (or polydeoxyribonucleotide, derived from salmon sperm DNA) sounds completely unhinged the first time you hear it. The mechanism, though, is actually legitimate, which is more than you can say for a lot of things in the beauty space. PDRN works by activating adenosine A2A receptors in the skin, triggering tissue repair, collagen production, and anti-inflammatory effects deep in the dermis. It’s injected in tiny amounts across the face using fine needles, targeting the dermis directly rather than sitting on top of the skin doing very little. What people typically notice after a course of sessions is improved skin texture, better hydration, softer fine lines, and an overall quality improvement that’s hard to attribute to any one thing – skin just looks more alive.

So far so good. Here’s where it gets more complicated. A 2025 systematic review of polynucleotide treatments found statistically significant improvements in wrinkle reduction, skin texture, and skin elasticity across multiple studies – but when you read the actual review, it found only nine studies that met quality criteria, covering a grand total of 219 patients. That is not a lot of people. The studies used different formulations, different outcome measures, and short follow-up periods, which makes it genuinely hard to draw sweeping conclusions.

What we have with Rejuran is a treatment with a solid theoretical basis, a well-understood mechanism, a good safety profile, and early clinical results that consistently point in the right direction. What we don’t have is the kind of large-scale, long-term randomized controlled trial data that would let you say with confidence exactly what it does and for whom. That gap between “the biology makes sense” and “we have definitive proof” is where a lot of K-beauty treatments live, and Rejuran is no exception.

If you’re considering it: go in expecting gradual improvement over a series of sessions, not a transformation after one appointment. And be skeptical of any clinic making very specific promises about outcomes – the evidence doesn’t support that level of certainty yet.

Pico Laser Treatment

Pico lasers are one of the popular treatments where the science is actually pretty solid, and where Korean clinics have genuinely refined the application beyond what you’ll typically find elsewhere. The technology delivers ultra-short pulses of laser energy (measured in picoseconds, which is one trillionth of a second) that shatter pigment particles through a mechanical rather than heat-based mechanism. Because the pulses are so fast, there’s significantly less collateral damage to surrounding tissue, which matters a lot especially for medium and darker skin tones.

It works for uneven skin tone, melasma, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, and acne scars. A 2023 randomized controlled trial found that picosecond lasers produced significant pigmentation improvement – though the same study noted that topical hydroquinone is still considered first-line therapy for melasma.  Where pico does clearly outperform older laser technology is in the side effect profile. A split-face comparison study found that pico laser caused post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (that deeply annoying darkening that can follow laser treatment, especially on darker skin) in 27% of cases compared to 54% for Q-switched laser, and the duration of that PIH was shorter too. For anyone with a medium to deeper skin tone, that difference is significant.

Pico laser is that it’s almost never a one-session fix. It’s done in a series, at regular intervals, as part of ongoing skin maintenance. The gradual approach is deliberate: you’re chipping away carefully rather than trying to blast everything at once, which reduces complications and produces steadier results. 

Ultrasound Lifting (HIFU)

High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU, or ultrasound lifting as it tends to be called in Korean clinics) is one of the most popular non-invasive treatments for skin laxity. Here’s how it works: focused ultrasound energy is delivered into the deeper layers of the skin (including the SMAS layer, which is the same structural layer that surgical facelifts address) generating controlled thermal injury at precise depths without damaging the surface. The body responds by producing new collagen over the following months. You’re waiting three to six months to see the full effect.

A 2025 systematic review of 45 clinical trials found that HIFU showed significant efficacy in skin tightening, particularly in the lower face, neck, and around the eyes, with improvements in skin laxity ranging from 18% to 30%. A separate meta-analysis of 17 studies found moderate improvement for facial and neck rejuvenation, with fewer than 5% of patients reporting anything beyond temporary redness, swelling, or mild discomfort. That’s a decent evidence base for a non-invasive treatment.

But there are real limitations. The systematic reviews consistently flag that treatment protocols vary enormously between practitioners and studies, making results hard to predict reliably. Long-term data is thin: most studies follow patients for three to six months, so what happens to those results at the two-year mark is genuinely unclear. And HIFU works best for mild to moderate laxity. If you have significant sagging, the honest answer is that it probably won’t do enough. It’s a prevention and early-intervention tool, which is exactly how Korean clinics use it – starting patients young, before things get to the point where plastic surgery would be the conversation.

One thing that often gets undersold: it can be painful. The sensation of focused ultrasound hitting deeper tissue, especially over bony areas, is sharp and genuinely uncomfortable. Most people find it manageable. Some do not. The “minimal downtime” claim is accurate – redness and mild swelling for a day or two at most – but going in expecting it to be easy might mean you’re caught off guard on the table.

Aqua Peel

The aqua peel (also called hydradermabrasion) is the treatment most international patients get on their first visit to a Korean clinic, and honestly it makes sense as an entry point. It combines mild exfoliation of the outer layer of the skin with simultaneous infusion of skin boosters (hydrating ingredients, antioxidants, sometimes vitamin C) in a single pass. No needles, no lasers, no real downtime. You walk out with skin that looks cleaner, brighter, and more hydrated than when you walked in.

The clinical research on it is thinner than the marketing suggests. One study compared hydradermabrasion with manual serum application and found that the hydradermabrasion group showed significant improvements in epidermal thickness, fine lines, pore size, and hyperpigmentation, with increased fibroblast density and collagen remodelling – while the manual application group showed no detectable skin changes at all. It’s not a dramatic treatment. It won’t address deep pigmentation, and it’s not going to remodel your collagen. But for congested skin, dry skin, rough texture, or skin that just needs a proper reset, it works, and it works immediately. 

Radiofrequency (RF) Treatments

Radiofrequency is one of the workhorses of Korean dermatology. Less glamorous than Rejuran or pico laser, but consistently useful, and often the thing that ties a multi-treatment protocol together. RF energy heats the dermis without damaging the surface, stimulating collagen and elastin production over time. When combined with microneedling, it gets delivered deeper into the tissue and produces more significant remodelling, particularly for acne scars, enlarged pores, and smoother skin texture.

The evidence for RF in skin tightening and texture improvement is reasonably well-established, though it shares the same limitation as most aesthetic treatments. The studies are often small, the protocols inconsistent, and the follow-up periods short. What it has going for it is a long clinical track record, a mechanism that’s well-understood, and a safety profile that’s been tested across a wide range of skin types and specific skin concerns. The results from RF are slow. We’re talking months, not days. It’s not the treatment you do when you want to look better for something in three weeks. It’s the treatment you do as part of a longer-term skin health strategy.

Should You Actually Go to Seoul?

If you’re seriously considering beauty tourism to South Korea, the practical answer is: it depends on what you’re trying to treat, how much you’re willing to spend, and whether you can realistically manage aftercare from home. The combination approach that makes Korean clinics so effective requires follow-up sessions to work properly. Rejuran typically needs three to four sessions. Pico laser works in a series. HIFU results build over months. If you’re flying in for a single visit and flying back out, you’re getting a fraction of what the system is actually designed to deliver. Some people still find that fraction worth it – the quality of treatment, the technology, and the pricing compared to equivalent clinics in New York City or London can make a single trip genuinely worthwhile. But go in with clear eyes about what one visit can and can’t do.

If going to Seoul isn’t on the table, many of these treatments are available at good clinics in the United States and Europe. The gap is less about the treatments themselves and more about the protocol design – finding a practitioner who thinks in terms of layered, preventive, ongoing skin health rather than individual procedures. That approach exists outside South Korea. It’s just less baked into the system.

The Bottom Line

Korean cosmetic procedures ren’t all created equal, and they’re not all going to deliver the glass skin promised on every clinic’s website. Pico laser for pigmentation has solid clinical backing. HIFU for early skin laxity has meaningful evidence across multiple systematic reviews. Rejuran is promising and mechanistically sound, but the clinical trial data is still early and thin. Aqua peel is genuinely good for what it is – which is a solid, low-risk maintenance treatment, not a miracle. What Korean dermatology does consistently well isn’t any single treatment. It’s the approach: preventive, systematic, layered, and sustained over time. That’s the part that actually produces the skin you’ve been looking at and wondering about. And that part you can apply anywhere.

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Last Updated on March 6, 2026 by Giorgia Guazzarotti

How to hide blepharoplasty scars is probably the last thing you thought you’d be worrying about after surgery. You wanted to look less tired, less droopy, more like yourself – and now you’re fixating on a scar that, spoiler, most people won’t even be able to find. Because the eyelid is genuinely one of the best places on the whole body to scar quietly. The skin is thin, it heals fast, and surgeons have got very good at hiding incisions inside the natural folds of your eye. Most blepharoplasty scars end up virtually invisible on their own. But if you’re left with visible scars, here are all the makeup and skincare tips you need to know to reduce their appearance.

Do Eyelids Scar Easily?

Good news: No, eyelids do not scar easily. Eyelid skin is thin and it heals faster than almost any other part of your body. The thick, raised, angry scarring you might be imagining (keloids, hypertrophic scars) is way less common here than on thicker skin like your chest or shoulders. Most blepharoplasty scars fade down to basically nothing over time without you doing very much at all. Said that, let’s talk about what you can do to minimise scar visibility even more.

How Easy Is It To Hide Blepharoplasty Scars?

Really easy, actually. With a skilled surgeon, you get natural-looking results with barely noticeable scarring. For upper eyelid surgery, the incision sits right in the natural crease of the eyelid, so the fold covers it completely when your eyes are open. Nobody’s going to find it unless they’re inspecting your closed eyelids from two inches away, which would be weird. The only time it gets a bit more noticeable is if you had a significant amount of hooded skin removed, which means a longer incision that travels slightly outside the crease. Still fades for most people. Still not a big deal.

For lower eyelid surgery, the appearance of these scars is even sneakier. The incision sits just under the lash line, hidden by your lashes on top and your crow’s feet on the sides. Your surgeon is literally using your existing wrinkles as camouflage, which is kind of genius when you think about it. And if they went with a transconjunctival approach (incision inside the eyelid, nothing on the skin), there’s no external scar at all.

How Long Do Blepharoplasty Scars Take to Fade?

Eyelid surgery scars take on average six weeks for the general recovery, up to a year for the scar itself to fully mature. In those early weeks it might look pink, a bit raised, more obvious than you’d like. Totally normal, tells you nothing about the end result. Phew! By twelve months most people genuinely can’t find the scar anymore. The annoying part is waiting out the middle bit when the appearance of scars is still a little visible. 

How to Hide Blepharoplasty Scars With Makeup

Before you even think about applying makeup on the delicate eyelid skin that’s been through plastic surgery, wait! You need your experienced surgeon to clear you first, which usually happens around two weeks post-surgery. Once you’re there, here’s how to actually cover a scar properly rather than just smearing concealer on it and hoping for a youthful look.

Colour correction is the thing most people skip and then wonder why their concealer isn’t working. If the scar is pink or red, you need a green corrector underneath. Green cancels out red, basic colour theory. If it’s gone darker or more purple, go peach instead. Without this step you’re just layering skin-tone product over a colour that’ll push straight back through.

Concealer goes on before foundation, not after. Press it directly onto the visible scarring with a synthetic brush, then go over everything with foundation on top. Stipple with a damp sponge. Don’t drag! Dragging across a scar makes the texture more obvious, not less. If the scar is raised, put a slightly darker shade on the raised bit and your skin tone around the edges, blend them together: the shadow effect makes it look flat. Indented scar, do the opposite. Lighter in the hollow, use a concealer the same shade of your skin tone to blend out. Finish with a translucent setting powder and you’re done.

How to Minimise Blepharoplasty Scarring

POST-OPERATIVE CARE INSTRUCTIONS

Do what your plastic surgeon tells you. Seriously, the post-operative aftercare instructions exist for a reason. Keep the area dry for the first week, sleep with your head elevated, cold compresses in the first few days. No contact lenses, no rubbing your eyes, no exercise or alcohol until you’re cleared. And if you smoke, stop – it genuinely slows the healing process down by restricting blood flow to the tissue.

Sun protection is non-negotiable. UV exposure on healing incision sites drives hyperpigmentation and slows scar healing Wear SPF daily, especially under direct sunlight, wear sunglasses. Take this especially seriously if you have a deeper skin tone. Zinc oxide formulas are the gentler choice around the eye area during recovery.

SILICONE GELS

Silicone gels are basically the gold standard for surgical scars. They’ve been around for 30 years and there’s decent science behind them. They work by sitting on top of the scar and locking in moisture, which keeps the production of collagen from going into overdrive and creating thick, raised scar tissue. Simple idea, and it works well on most parts of the body.

On eyelid skin specifically though, the picture is murkier. A 2025 double-blind RCT tested silicone gel against plain Vaseline on 192 eyelids and found no meaningful difference between the two.  There is an older study showing better results with a silicone-based cream, but that product was loaded with growth factors, hyaluronic acid and vitamin C, so we can’t say for sure it’s the silicones that did the job. The other ingredients probably played a part too.

So: keeping the scar moist definitely helps, a silicone-based scar cream or silicone gel sheets aren’t going to hurt anything, but Vaseline does the same job on eyelid scars for about £38 less. Use that while things are healing, and if you want to graduate to something fancier later, run it by your plastic surgeon first.

Still bothered at three months? That’s when laser resurfacing treatments are worth bringing up. Fractional CO2 for texture and height, pulsed dye laser for redness, both together for the best results. Just go to someone who actually specialises in this area. Eyelid skin is not the place to cut corners on who’s holding the laser.

The Bottom Line

Most blepharoplasty scars are a non-issue. The eyelid heals better than almost anywhere else on the body, surgeons hide the incisions in places your anatomy was already doing the work, and time does most of the heavy lifting. The people who end up unhappy are usually the ones who panicked at six weeks and decided the scar was permanent. It wasn’t, they just didn’t give the recovery process long enough to do the job. While you’re waiting, keep it moist, avoid direct sun exposure (wear your SPF!), follow your aftercare instructions and cover it with makeup if it’s bothering you. If it’s still there at three months and it’s genuinely visible, talk to your surgeon about laser. That’s really it. There’s no secret product, no miracle cream, no shortcut – just time, sun protection, and not poking at it.

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Last Updated on March 5, 2026 by Giorgia Guazzarotti

Can you use The Ordinary Peeling Solution on acne? If you’ve got breakout-prone skin and you’ve ever stared at that blood-red mask thinking – okay, this has to be the one – you get it. It looks intense. It’s full of acids. It’s got BHA in it, which is literally the ingredient everyone talks about for clogged pores and breakouts. The logic is right there, it practically writes itself.  And honestly? It’s not a stupid idea. It’s actually a really understandable one. But there’s stuff going on with this chemical peel that’s worth knowing before you put it on already-unhappy skin, and that’s exactly what this article is going to get into.

The Ordinary Peeling Solution: What It Is And How It Works

I’ve already written about why I’m not a fan of The Ordinary Peeling Solution here. But I hadn’t covered the acne angle specifically, hence the whole point of this article. Let’s start with a little recap of what this exfoliant is and what it does. The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution is a high-strength chemical exfoliant. You apply it for 10 minutes, rinse it off, and it works by chemically loosening the bonds that hold dead skin cells together so they can shed more easily. That’s the simple version. Here are the active ingredients that make it work:

ALPHA HYDROXY ACIDS

The bulk of this product is alpha hydroxy acids: glycolic, lactic, tartaric, and citric acid. Glycolic acid leads the pack, and it does so for a good reason: it has the smallest molecular weight of all the AHAs, which means it penetrates the skin more easily than the rest. Once it’s in, it breaks down the corneodesmosomes – basically the structural glue holding dead skin cells to the surface. 

Research published in the Archives of Dermatology confirmed this breakdown happens in the outermost layers of the skin without disrupting the deeper barrier structures underneath. BUT, and this is an important but for acne, exfoliating the surface of the skin only prevents acne by making sure dead skin cells can’t get stuck in your pores. But it can’t remove those already in your pores causing clogs.

BETA HYDROXY ACID

Then there’s salicylic acid (beta hydroxy acid) at 2% – and this is the ingredient that makes people with acne pay attention. Unlike AHAs, salicylic acid is oil-soluble, which means it can get inside the pore lining rather than just working on the surface. Studies show it reduces sebum production, has genuine anti-inflammatory properties, and works through the NF-κB pathway to calm the redness and irritation that comes with active breakouts. So this does work for acne BUT it’s here at the same concentration you’ll find in any salicylic acid exfoliant, including other The Ordinary products. 

THE SUPPORTING CAST

The formula also contains sodium hyaluronate crosspolymer (a form of hyaluronic acid) for hydration, panthenol to support barrier recovery, and Tasmanian pepperberry as an anti-irritant. These are all there to offset how aggressive this formula is. They help, but they don’t change what this product fundamentally is: a serious surface exfoliant that’s far better at what AHAs do than what BHA does.

Related: AHAs VS BHA: Which One Is Right For You?

The Case For Using The Ordinary Peeling Solution For Acne

If your acne leaves marks behind (those flat, discoloured patches that hang around long after the spot itself has healed), this product can genuinely help with that. Glycolic acid has been shown to reduce acne lesions, improve skin texture, and help prevent comedone formation PubMed, and research published in the journal Cosmetics found the exfoliating properties of AHAs contribute to reducing the appearance of acne scars and post-inflammatory dark spots.

The surface exfoliation also means clogged pores – the kind of congestion that shows up as blackheads and rough, bumpy texture – have a better chance of clearing out. Dead skin cells accumulate and block pores; removing them consistently gives your skin a better environment to function in. And for skin that’s dealing with the aftermath of acne rather than active, inflamed breakouts? This formula can genuinely deliver results on texture, dullness, and uneven tone.

The Case Against The Ordinary Peeling Solution For Acne

Acne-prone skin is almost always compromised skin. It’s often inflamed, sensitised, and working hard just to maintain its barrier function. And 30% AHA is an extremely high concentration for an at-home product. The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel concluded that AHA products are safe for consumer use only if the concentration is 10% or less and the pH is 3.5 or greater. The Ordinary The Ordinary’s Peeling Solution sits at three times that recommended ceiling. Are you starting to see the problem?

The risks don’t stay theoretical either. Licensed esthetician Teodora Brotherns, speaking to Dazed after documented cases of chemical burns from this product, described 30% AHA as “definitely very high, especially to be sold over the counter” and strongly advised consulting with an esthetician or dermatologist before using it – and this was after people who had patch-tested with no reaction still ended up in A&E.

Then there’s the inflammation problem. Active acne is already an inflammatory condition. Aggressive exfoliation on top of inflammation doesn’t calm things down. It can worsen the barrier damage that makes acne harder to treat in the first place. Dermatologists are clear that high-strength acid peels carry a risk of infection, scarring, burning, and (particularly for deeper skin tones) worsening of pigmentation, which is the exact opposite of what most people using this product on acne are hoping for.

FAQs

Can I use The Ordinary Peeling Solution if I have sensitive skin?

No – and this isn’t a “use it carefully” situation, it’s a straightforward no. The Ordinary themselves state that this formula may not suit sensitive or compromised skin and at 30% AHA, that’s not just a legal disclaimer. Sensitive skin has a weaker barrier to begin with, and high acid concentrations can break that barrier down further rather than help it.

Can I use it on dry skin?

Dry skin and high-strength acids are a risky combination. You should avoid using this solution if your skin is already feeling dry or has areas of broken skin. Dry skin means a compromised barrier and a compromised barrier means the acid can penetrate more aggressively than intended. If you do use it and your skin is on the drier side, make sure you’re following up with a hydrating serum and a good moisturiser immediately after rinsing.

Can I use vitamin C with The Ordinary Peeling Solution?

Not at the same time. L-ascorbic acid (the most active form of vitamin C) can sting and irritate the skin when layered with a high-strength acid peel. The safer approach is to stay away from vitamin C, retinoids and strong actives a few days before and after using the peeling solution.

Do I really need to patch test?

Yes, and this is one of those times the advice actually matters. The fact that a product doesn’t irritate a small patch of skin behind your ear doesn’t guarantee it won’t react badly on your full face – but skipping it altogether with a 30% acid formula is genuinely not worth the risk. Apply a small amount, leave for 10 minutes, rinse, and wait 24 hours before going anywhere near your full face. 

Can I use it with other direct acids or strong actives?

No. You should never layer this product with other exfoliating acids or retinoids in the same session. Ideally, you want to avoid using other strong actives for at least 36 hours before and after application too, if not longer. This is already one of the most aggressive chemical exfoliants available over the counter. Stacking it with other direct acids or prescription medications isn’t pushing your results furthe. It’s pushing your skin closer to a reaction.

Is this a good product for someone new to chemical exfoliation?

Honestly, no. If you’ve never used direct acids before, this formula is likely too strong to start with. A gentler option like mandelic acid would let your skin build tolerance before you work up to something at this concentration. Even if you’re already using acids regularly, the first time you use this specific product, start with five minutes rather than ten.

The Bottom Line

Not really – and after everything in this article, hopefully that makes sense.  This product was never designed to treat active acne, and putting a 30% acid mask on already-inflamed, already-compromised skin is a risk that simply isn’t worth it when better, more targeted options exist. Where it earns its place is post-acne – the marks, the texture, the uneven tone that sticks around long after everything heals. For that specific job, it delivers. But that’s a very different thing to treating acne, and the difference matters.

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Last Updated on March 4, 2026 by Giorgia Guazzarotti

eMatrix vs microneedling: which is best for acne and wrinkles? If you’re asking this question, chances are you’re dealing with something that’s been bothering you for a while. Maybe it’s acne scars that survived every serum you threw at them. Maybe it’s fine lines that showed up before you were ready, or skin that just looks tired no matter how much sleep you’re getting. You’ve hit the point where skincare products feel like rearranging deck chairs and you want something that actually goes in deep and does real work. Both eMatrix and microneedling promise exactly that – but they’re genuinely different treatments, they’re better at different things, and picking the wrong one means spending money on results you’re not even targeting. So here’s everything you need to know before you book anything.

eMatrix VS Microneedling: What Are They?

Microneedling is the one that sounds scarier than it is. Tiny needles, lots of them, making controlled punctures all over your skin. Your body sees that and triggers its natural healing response:  collagen production kicks in, elastin production follows, and over time the skin rebuilds itself better than it was before. It’s basically tricking your body into thinking it needs to heal, which it does, just from something a lot more controlled than an actual injury. Needle depths range from 0.5mm for surface stuff up to 2.5mm when you need to get properly deep for things like acne scars or skin that’s starting to loosen up. It’s been around since the 1990s and the research backing it up is genuinely good.

eMatrix is the weirder, more interesting one. No needles at all (phew!). The ematrix device uses bipolar radiofrequency energy delivered through a grid of electrodes to create heat injury inside the dermis, while leaving most of the skin’s surface completely alone. Only about 5% of the top layer gets disrupted, but the RF energy goes up to 450 micrometres deep into the dermis where it triggers the production of collagen and elastin. Histological studies (meaning they literally looked at the tissue under a microscope) showed better organised collagen, restored elastic fibres, more hyaluronic acid. All from heat. Which is kind of wild when you think about it. Also, eMatrix is not a laser, even though people call it that all the time. It doesn’t use light energy, and that distinction matters in ways that will make sense in a minute.

How Do They Work?

Microneedling physically breaks through the skin’s surface into the dermis and the body responds to that like any injury and triggers the healing process: collagen synthesis fires up and the skin gets to rebuilding. You’ll be red and a bit puffy afterwards because your skin has genuinely been through something. That’s normal. 

The eMatrix treatment heats the dermis through radiofrequency energy and the body responds to thermal damage the same way it responds to any damage – by replacing it with new tissue. Because the surface of the skin is mostly left intact, recovery is quicker and the whole experience is less intense. You’re getting serious deep dermal remodelling without the surface of your skin having to pay the full price for it.

eMatrix VS Microneedling: Which Is Better For Acne Scars?

Here’s where it gets interesting. A 2022 meta-analysis found that plain old standard microneedling (no extras, no radiofrequency, just needles) actually outperformed fancier treatments for objective acne scar improvement. So if anyone tries to tell you that you absolutely need the most advanced option for your scars, the science isn’t necessarily agreeing with them. Matrix does have good acne scar data though. One study showed 20-70% improvement by six months. Rolling scars respond best, boxcar scars take longer, and icepick scars are basically everyone’s nemesis regardless of what you throw at them. 

eMatrix VS Microneedling: Which Is Better For Wrinkles And Skin Laxity?

Both build new collagen, both improve fine lines over time, and both will genuinely make your skin look more like it did a few years ago with enough sessions – so far so good for both of them. But here’s where they start to pull in slightly different directions.

eMatrix has more targeted clinical evidence specifically for laxity and photoaging. In one study of 33 patients treated for photoaging, skin laxity, and wrinkles, more than half saw over 40% improvement in skin texture and 80% were satisfied with the results. The reason it works particularly well for laxity is because it targets the deeper layers of the skin. 

Microneedling for wrinkles is a different story – not a bad story, just a more nuanced one. A well-run clinical study of 48 subjects showed that four sessions of microneedling significantly improved wrinkle scores, skin laxity, and skin texture at both the 90-day and 150-day marks. Another study of 35 people showed significant wrinkle improvement in the face confirmed by blinded assessors. So yes, microneedling genuinely works for fine lines. The difference is that most of its strongest, most consistent data is in the acne scar and texture lane. For tightening specifically, the results are real but less predictable, and they tend to improve significantly when you move up to RF microneedling rather than the standard needle-only version. 

If laxity is the main thing keeping you up at night, eMatrix is the more targeted tool. If wrinkles are one concern among several and you’re also dealing with scars or texture, microneedling handles the whole picture pretty well.

Side Effects

Microneedling has minimal downtime: it gives you mild redness and mild swelling for a day or two, sensitive skin while everything heals, and then you’re done. eMatrix gives you a grid-like pattern of marks on your skin from the electrodes (which looks alarming the first time you see it but fades) plus redness for about 48 hours and grid marks that can linger up to two weeks. Not much downtime, but more than with microneedling. Neither is dramatic, but maybe don’t book eMatrix the week before something important.

The thing that genuinely matters for a lot of people: neither treatment causes post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Radiofrequency doesn’t interact with melanin, microneedling doesn’t either. Both are safe for darker skin tones in a way that laser resurfacing often isn’t, and that’s not a small thing if you’ve been told before that certain treatments aren’t suitable for your skin.

Related: Does Microneedling Help Or Harm Skin?

eMatrix VS Microneedling: How Many Sessions Do You Need?

Neither of these is a one-and-done thing, and if anyone tells you otherwise they’re either lying or selling something. Microneedling usually means 3-6 treatment sessions for acne scars, fewer if you’re just after general texture improvement, spaced about 4-6 weeks apart. The results creep up on you gradually as new collagen matures – you won’t walk out of your first session looking transformed, but by session three you’ll start noticing your skin looks different in a way that’s hard to explain but very obvious. eMatrix is typically 3-4 sessions for optimal results. Same deal – commit to the full number of treatments or don’t bother, because one session is really just a warm-up.

How Much Do They Cost?

Prices vary a lot depending on where you are, who’s doing it, and what area is being treated, so take any numbers you see online as a rough ballpark, not a quote. Microneedling tends to be the more accessible option, typically running anywhere from $200-$700 per session in the US. eMatrix sits higher, usually $500-$1,500 per session depending on the clinic and the treatment area. Multiply either of those by the number of sessions you need and it adds up fast, so go in with the full treatment plan cost in your head rather than just the per-session number. The cheapest option per session isn’t always the cheapest option overall, and a provider who charges more but has real experience with the device is almost always worth it over a bargain with someone who’s winging it.

Which Is The Right Treatment For Your Specific Skin Concerns?

Microneedling is for you if acne scars are the main villain, you want something with decades of evidence behind it, or you just don’t want to spend a fortune to get good results. Works well on pretty much all skin types, great for uneven texture, large pores, general skin that needs a refresh.

eMatrix is the move for various skin concerns, including skin laxity, sun damage, dark spots, or that uneven skin tone that makes your complexion look patchy and dull. It’s also genuinely worth considering if you’ve been told before that aggressive laser treatments aren’t suitable for your skin – eMatrix is an FDA-cleared treatment that works safely across various skin types including darker tones, which laser resurfacing often can’t say.

Can You Combine Them?

You can, and honestly the evidence for doing so is pretty exciting. A 2025 RCT found that doing RF microneedling followed immediately by eMatrix in the same session produced results neither treatment achieved on its own – 70% of patients hit marked-to-near-total improvement in acne scars. That’s not a small number. The reason it works so well together is that the microneedling handles the dermis from above while eMatrix targets the deep dermal layers of the skin, so you’re hitting the full depth of the skin in one go. Not every clinic offers both, but if yours does and you’re dealing with stubborn scarring, it may give you the best results – and the most long-lasting results, overall. 

The Bottom Line

Both treatments are legit, both have real science behind them, and neither is going to disappoint you if you pick the right one for the right reason. Scars: microneedling. Laxity and aging: eMatrix. Both: combine them. The only thing that will actually make or break your results is who’s holding the device, so spend as much time vetting your provider as you did reading this article.

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Last Updated on March 3, 2026 by Giorgia Guazzarotti

Someone the other day asked me, “Can I use sunscreen after microneedling?” After all, you’ve just let someone roll tiny needles across your face on purpose (you paid for that privilege, actually) and now you’re wondering if using sunscreen on skin that’s just been injured is a good idea or not. Short answer: sunscreen is ALWAYS a good idea. It’s the most important step of any skincare routine. Long answer? Read on. In this article we’re going to get into exactly which sunscreen is safe to use, when to start, and more.

What A Microneedling Treatment Actually Does to Your Skin (And Why It Matters for Aftercare)

When those tiny needles puncture your skin, your body reacts the way any of us would if someone poked us repeatedly with sharp things – with absolute outrage, followed by a massive repair effort. Collagen production shoots up, elastin production kicks in, growth factors flood the area, and your skin basically enters full renovation mode. That’s the whole point of the cosmetic procedure. The better skin texture, the softer fine lines, the more even skin tone people get from microneedling – all of that comes from what happens after the session, not during it.

The thing is though, those microchannels your needles created don’t just slam shut the second you leave the clinic. Research published in the Journal of Controlled Release found the average closure time is around two hours, with full closure somewhere in the 2 to 24 hour window. So for a good chunk of the day your skin is basically wide open, absorbing whatever you put on it faster and deeper than usual. Amazing when you’re applying a hyaluronic acid serum. Considerably less amazing when you’re putting on a product full of irritants.

Related: Is Microneedling Good Or Bad For Skin?

Why Skipping Sunscreen After Microneedling Will Ruin Your Results

Some people hear “stay out of the sun” and think yeah sure, no problem, I’ll just live inside forever like a vampire with good skin. And honestly for the first day that’s actually the right call. But after that you need to be wearing sunscreen, because UV rays on already inflamed skin is genuinely a bad combination and not in a quirky way.

Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (ie.e the dark spots caused by inflammation or skin trauma) loves nothing more than some unprotected, direct sun exposure during a healing window. Those dark spots show up, they overstay their welcome by about six months, and they bring absolutely nothing to the table. Direct sunlight also disrupts the skin’s natural healing process in ways that don’t announce themselves immediately – they show up weeks later as slower results and a sneaking feeling that you wasted your money.  You did not come this far to let some UV rays be the villain of your microneedling experience.

Mineral Sunscreen VS Chemical Sunscreen After Microneedling: They Are Not the Same Thing

There are two types of sunscreen. Mineral sunscreens (also known as physical sunscreens) use zinc oxide and titanium dioxide as their active ingredients. Both absorb UV rays and convert them into heat, and because their molecules are large they don’t penetrate deeply into the skin. Chemical sunscreens work the same way – they also absorb UV rays and convert them to heat – but their active ingredients have much smaller molecules that are more likely to penetrate your skin. Which type should you sue after microneedling? And does it even matter?

A clinical study published in the Journal Photodermatology, Photoimmunology & Photomedicine found that a chemical SPF hybrid formula penetrated significantly deeper than it normally would through those open channels, with pigment showing up among collagen fibers. The mineral sunscreen didn’t penetrate nearly as deeply and caused zero adverse reactions or side effects across every single treatment group.

Deeper penetration doesn’t automatically mean dangerous – the study didn’t prove harm, just showed the difference in behaviour. But in those first 24 to 48 hours when your skin is at its most permeable, mineral is simply the better researched and lower risk choice. Once everything has closed up properly, your usual chemical SPF is absolutely fine.

When Can You Start Applying Sunscreen After Microneedling

Your aesthetician will almost certainly apply a mineral sunscreen at the end of your session as part of your post-treatment care, so you’re already protected for the journey home. Once you’re indoors for the rest of the day though, just leave your skin alone. It’s been through a lot and it doesn’t need you fussing at it. If you’re not going back outside, you don’t need to reapply anything.

From around 24 to 48 hours onwards, once things have settled and the redness has started to calm down, you bring in your broad-spectrum sunscreen (preferable the mineral kind) every single morning. Then you keep doing that every day for two full weeks because your skin is still in recovery mode even when it looks perfectly normal. A wide-brimmed hat if you’re going to be outside for any real length of time is also not a bad idea. Your skin’s barrier is still rebuilding and there is no award for toughing it out without one.

The Rest of Your Post-Treatment Care

Here’s how you take care of your skin after microneedling. For the first 24 hours, gentle cleanser, lukewarm water, clean hands, that’s your whole routine. You can put the vitamin C down. Step away from the retinol. Harsh skincare products on a compromised skin barrier is a wonderful way to set your healing back by several days and feel terrible about it. Give everything active a few full days off before it comes back into rotation.

A hyaluronic acid serum plays beautifully during this window: it supports the skin’s natural healing process rather than poking at it, which is the energy we’re going for. Most practitioners apply it during the session itself for exactly that reason. Just check in with whoever did your treatment before adding anything extra, because protocols vary and they know your skin.

FAQs

Is chemical sunscreen actually dangerous after microneedling?

Short answer: no, there’s no proof it is. There’s one study showing it penetrates deeper through open microchannels than it normally would, which is worth knowing about, but deeper penetration and actual harm are two very different things and the research doesn’t prove the latter. Mineral sunscreen is the more cautious choice in those first couple of days, and if you have both in your bathroom cabinet then yes, reach for the mineral one. But if you only own a chemical SPF, please just use it. Unprotected skin in the sun after microneedling is a genuinely worse situation than whatever a chemical sunscreen might or might not do.

Can microneedling make you burn faster?

Yes, and it’s not a fun experience. Your skin is already inflamed and working hard, so what would normally be a fairly unremarkable amount of sun exposure can hit completely differently and cause more sun damage. Think you can handle twenty minutes in the sun without burning normally? After microneedling that calculation changes. Just don’t test it.

When can I go back to my normal skincare routine?

Most people are back to their usual routine within about a week, but don’t just pile everything back on at once like nothing happened. Bring things back in gradually and pay attention to how your skin responds. It’ll let you know pretty clearly if something isn’t quite ready to be reintroduced yet.

The Bottom Line

Yes, sunscreen after microneedling is not only allowed but genuinely essential for best results. It just has to be the right one. Mineral only, broad-spectrum zinc oxide SPF, starting from 24 to 48 hours post-treatment, worn every day for two weeks minimum.  You chose to do this treatment because you want better skin. The collagen production happening under the surface right now is real and it’s working hard. Wearing the right SPF is genuinely one of the most important things you can do to make sure all that effort actually shows up on your face.

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